2-Band Experts.Please Help!

[Teddyboy]

I do not know if I'm losing it, but do the tips of 2-band badger hair split, similar to a boar that is broken in?

I have been palm-lathering several of my 2-bands nightly to keep them "active" and break them in should they need it. After rinsing, I blot them on a towel and run some paint strokes over the towel and put them back in a rack. About 10 minutes ago I noticed that the tips looked more cream-colored or blonde than usual, as well as the creaminess being in small clumps. I thought it was residual soap, but it would not rinse out. Then I used my magnifying glass and saw split tips!! I could not believe my eyes. I checked my Simpsons in best badger and did not see any degree of splitting close to that I saw in the 2-banders.

Maybe, the ends are just hook-shaped and look split. But still, this is a shocker. Simpson, Thater, Shavemac, Finest XH.

So, what the heck is going on?

What say you?

 

[mblakele]

Ruined. Better send them all to me.

FWIW I have looked at the tips of my Rooney finest under a loupe. No sign of splitting.

 

[Loric]

I have had some two bands (especially an older Simpson) that did break in and get slightly softer over time. Agitation on a rough surface seems to accelerate this possess.

 

[MaxP]

Well, I know that two band brushes get softer with use. This thread caused me to get out the bright light and 10X magnifier.

On my Simpson 57 two band, i'd estimate about 10-15% of the hairs are split to some degree. Curiousity now has me. I'll be checking a couple TGNs and the Thater.

 

[AABCDS]

I've never noticed this before on any of my badger brushes. I'll pay more attention and post here again.

 

[German]

They do not split buy may develop hooked/barbed tips. This is especially true for finer hair. All my very soft 3 bands have this (shavemac, Thäter) and a few 2 bands (Rooney, Simpson).
Nothing to be concerned about.

 

[Snuff-Belgium]

I've had some softer brushes that had this (shavemacs) but like German said nothing to be concerned about.

 

[Teddyboy]

Thank you all for your feedback. All things considered, the brushes feel softer, akin to what happens (I think) when a boar breaks in. OK, I'll put the valium away. Thanks again.

 

[Merkur25]

I never looked that closely at my brushes.....

If its not broke then its probably not broke....

 

[celestino]

They do not split buy may develop hooked/barbed tips. This is especially true for finer hair. Thäter) and a few 2 bands (Rooney, Simpson)

+1 This. i have never seen split hairs, but...

 

[MaxP]

I viewed a Thater two band. The majority of the hairs are hooked, but man are split. It's very clear under a 10X magnifier. I only wish I had a way to take a photo to post.

And Merkur, I fully agree, they're not broke, its just how they are. And I truly enjoy them. Hooks, splits and wonderful softness.

r

 

[Merkur25]

I viewed a Thater two band. The majority of the hairs are hooked, but man are split. It's very clear under a 10X magnifier. I only wish I had a way to take a photo to post.

And Merkur, I fully agree, they're not broke, its just how they are. And I truly enjoy them. Hooks, splits and wonderful softness.

r

I wish you could take a photo with a 10x magnification as well since now I want to go and buy a magnifier just to look at my brush

In all seriousness though, I will have to check out my brush when I get time and see what I find in regards to the ends of the bristles.

 

[Merkur25]

I looked at my Thater 2-Band this weekend and the ends of the bristles are in fact, "hooked" and "split." Obviously I know my brush is not "broke," since it delivers the best lather ever.

I then looked at my Simpson 2-Band and the tips are not "hooked" or "split." I feel the Thater performs and feels way softer than the Simpson as well.

I will have to buy more 2 band brushes from other companies to compare them to my Thater.

Very interesting observation.

 

[Le Buzz]

I don't have any split hairs in mine... but I can't imagine it would be impossible. Human hair will split if too dry, and I'm sure badger hair might do the same. Maybe you're lathering them up too often.

 

[Teddyboy]

I looked at my Thater 2-Band this weekend and the ends of the bristles are in fact, "hooked" and "split." Obviously I know my brush is not "broke," since it delivers the best lather ever.

I then looked at my Simpson 2-Band and the tips are not "hooked" or "split." I feel the Thater performs and feels way softer than the Simpson as well.

I will have to buy more 2 band brushes from other companies to compare them to my Thater.

Very interesting observation.

My Shavemac 2-band is also hooked/split at the ends, but my Simpson 2-bands and my Thater that are hooked/spit give very soft feels.

 

[Merkur25]

My Shavemac 2-band is also hooked/split at the ends, but my Simpson 2-bands and my Thater that are hooked/spit give very soft feels.

Very interesting. I do not own a Shavemac, that may be next on my list of brushes to acquire. I have always wanted to try there 2 band.

Do you own the D01 2-band?

 

[mblakele]

Here are some photos I took this morning of two-band hair. I used a camera phone and a 30x 21-mm loupe. It was tricky to take decent pictures, but I think these show the general condition of the tips. You can click through for the full-size images in my gallery.

Hair!!Photo!!Notes
| ||No visible hooking, curling, or splitting.
| ||No splitting but a very few hooked or bent hairs.
| ||Prominent hooking or curling. This knot feels hard when dry, and seems to have the "gel effect" when wet - but I have never used any of the Rooney brushes that are famous for gel-like tips, so that is just my own impression.

 

[Merkur25]

I take it that you do not own a Thater 2 band?

I will have to take some pics or at least try to take some pics of my brush. I was very surprised at what I saw when I looked closely at the bristles

 

[Teddyboy]

Very interesting. I do not own a Shavemac, that may be next on my list of brushes to acquire. I have always wanted to try there 2 band.

Do you own the D01 2-band?

Yes, and I find it an intriguing brush. Out of the box, I could not believe how much backbone it has. It provided some scritch as well, although that has greatly diminished with the hooking/curling of the tips. But I am still deciding on whether or not it is too stiff. I do a lot of palm lathering and it seems to help. This is a somewhat stately brush that deserves a chance to prove itself, so I am being very patient.